To the editor:
Grandma and Grandpa Smith were melon farmers who lived near Vincennes in Knox County. They lost their home during the Great Depression, and moved to Morgan County, where Grandpa found work with Highway 252. Later they moved to Trevlac, then to Bean Blossom and bought the Bonds’ home.
They had eight children: Arthur, Clarence “Shelley” Jr., Luther “Bud,” Beulah, Mary, D’Lena, Loellin “Sissy” and Donna.
For many years Grandpa raised watermelons, mushmelons and occasionally sweet potatoes and tomatoes. He plowed taking turns with horses “Big Charlie” and “Little Charlie.”
After Art and Shelley grew up and married, they raised melons in the fields of Nashville. Children who were old enough also worked planting, weeding, hoeing, turning vines and picking melons. Grandchildren old enough also worked. Mom and Grandmother had a lovely noon meal for everyone working.
The time came when Grandpa could purchase two Alice Chalmer tractors giving the “Charlies” a rest.
Neighbor children also worked in the fields, some all summer, including David Critser, Nancy Campbell and Linda Wheatcraft. At time to pick melons, boys from Morgantown would journey to Bean Blossom for work.
My school days were at the Bean Blossom School for grades one through three. Aunt Donna helped to start me in first grade. We had a wonderful teacher, Mr. Adams, until he had heart trouble. We had a large succession of teachers then who excelled in throwing chalk at the boys in the back of school.
In second grade, Grandpa and Grandma’s home burned down after they had remodeled it. It was the third house fire in their marriage. My brother Dave and I were delighted that Grandma and Grandpa spent nights with us until Mr. Helms offered them his rental in Bean Blossom while their new home was being built. Grandpa made sure this home was built with stones.
Mother operated the family restaurant in Bean Blossom for fifteen years getting up very early to cook and bake. She employed many local girls and boys needing jobs. Grandma and Aunt Barb, Uncle Bud’s wife, helped her lots.
It is wonderful to have such happy memories. Bean Blossom and Brown County will always be in my heart.
Linda Williamson, Lebanon
